Came Back

Prologue –

Aria’s

“Change patrol shifts every six hours,” I said gently. “And tell the hunters to check the northern traps before nightfall.”

It felt like any other day . Busy. Demanding. But I didn’t mind. This pack was my home, and I loved them like family. They trusted me. They listened when I spoke. They called me Luna—and I carried that name with pride.

Because I believed in what we built.

Because I believed in him.

I felt his presence before I heard him.

“Aria,” Kael’s deep voice broke through the air like a warm wind.

I look around. There he was—my Alpha, my mate. My heart. His dark eyes softened when he gazed at mine. He walked over and picked me up in his arms.

"You're always doing too much," he whispered, pressing his lips against my forehead. "You never stop."

"I'm the Luna," I said, smiling. "I want to protect them."

"No," he breathed. "You're not just their Luna. You're my Luna."

He hugged me tighter, his heart beat firm against mine.

. "I chose you. And I'll keep choosing you. No Moon Goddess can change that."

My eyes welled up. I had waited so long to be sure of the words ofhearing them.

"You are my mate, Aria. My one. I'll never be without you."

His finger touched mine, stroking along my cheek as he bent his head and kissed me—slowly, fully. Like I was everything that existed in his universe.

After the kiss, he placed his hands over my face. "I need to travel," he whispered. "Alpha summit. I need to protect our allegiances."

I felt my heart drop. "Do you really have to go?

"I'll be back soon," he vowed. "Keep the pack steady, just as you always do. I trust you with everything."

I nodded, struggling to hide the hurt within me. "I'll keep everything going."

He kissed me again—this time for longer. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too."

And then turned and walked away.

I stood there and watched him, hand pressed against my chest, trusting every word that escaped his lips.

Chapter One – The Day He Came Back

Aria’s POV

I waited for him.

Every morning, I opened my eyes and looked toward the forest trail, hoping to see him walking through it. Every night, I kept the window open, hoping the wind would carry his scent back to me.

Kael said he would be back soon.

But it had been over six weeks.

Six weeks of silence.

Six weeks of carrying the pack alone.

Six weeks of pretending everything was fine—when inside, I was slowly breaking.

I did everything he asked. I led the warriors. I cared for the sick. I kept order. I even kept smiling for the young wolves, even when my heart felt like it was falling apart.

I wore the mark of his bite on my neck proudly. I carried his promises in my chest like fire. I held onto the memory of his last kiss like it was the only thing keeping me breathing.

Because he was mine.

And I was his.

The morning started as usual. I was working with a puppy in the hut of the healer when I suddenly sensed a weird stillness descend on the grounds of the pack.

A hush.

Like the air was holding its breath.

And suddenly, I overheard the whisper from the members of the pack.

"He's back."

My heart came to a standstill.

Kael.

I stood up so quickly that the stool fell over. My hands trembled as I pushed through the doors, dashing out, wanting to hug him and tell him how much I miss him.

And he was there.

Kael.

My mate. My Alpha. My everything.

But something wasn't right.

He wasn't by himself.

There was a woman with him. She was thin and tall, with golden locks that shone in the light. She had her hand firmly wrapped around his arm.

And Kael. Kael didn't move away.

He let her touch him.

He let her hold him.

I was frozen. My heart pounding so hard I couldn't hear the gasps from the people around me.

He was not the same. Older. Cold. His smile wasn't the same one.

I took one step forward. "Kael?"

He growled at me, but his eyes were cold. No warmth. No happiness. No relief.

Just space.

"This is Lyra," he said. His voice was steady, too steady. "She's my fated mate."

I couldn't breathe.

"What?" I cried out, my voice trembling. "Kael… no. You said… you said that I was—"

"I know what I said," he cut in quickly. "But things are different now. The Moon Goddess has spoken."

"No," I murmured, shuddering. "You said that you didn't believe in destiny. You said you'd chosen me You claimed me.".

"I did," he said, his jaw tightening. "But this is more. The bond with Lyra is stronger. It's fate. I can't help it."

I took another step closer, my legs shaking. "So that's it? You come back with another woman and you just. expect me to understand it?"

"I expect you to respect my decision," he said coldly.

Lyra smiled then. Not shyly. Not kindly. No—she smiled like she'd won something.

As though she owned him.

I brought my eyes back to Kael. "You promised never to leave me."

"I never meant to," he said. "But fate—"

"Don't," I barked. "Don't ever say this is fate. You chose me, Kael. And now you're choosing her."

He looked away. "I'm sorry, Aria."

Sorry.

That word shattered me.

"I need you to quit your position as Luna," he said. "Lyra will take your place."

The world around me started spinning. My stomach roiled. My knees collapsed.

He was replacing me.

Not just as his mate—but as his Luna.

I was nothing now.

No longer needed.

No longer loved.

I froze as he went past me, still with his hand on Lyra's, as if I ever mattered to him.

The pack stood there, unsure of what to say. Some dropped their heads. Some turned away. Nobody said anything.

I stood alone.

Tears had crept up into my eyes, but I hadn't let them fall. Not here. Not in front of them.

I retreated slowly, numb, back to the house we used to call home. Every inch of it still smelled of him. His clothes still hung in the closet. His name still engraved on the wood trim of our bed.

I dropped to my knees and put a hand over my chest.

It hurt.

It hurt so much I couldn't catch my breath.

He cursed.

He cursed.

And now he was gone.

Not dead. Not kidnapped.

Just… gone.

With some other woman.

I curled my body around me on the ground and let the tears flow, silently and endlessly.

And in that moment, I knew—

He had broken my heart.

But I would not let him break me.